LRT needed here

Hamilton wants it. Mississauga is begging for it. Ottawa famously cancelled it, and then just five years later, had to bring back (much more costly) plans for it.

And then there’s Toronto, which has long needed it all over the place, but can’t figure out how to pay for it.

“It” is light rail transit.

It is planned for Waterloo Region and it is well-suited to form the backbone of our transit network, due to our population, our need to shape our growth, and our unique geography.

Any large-scale project is divisive, of course. While many have supported it, some question whether we need to be so ambitious, and others flatly deny the need to change at all. But we should look at those cities that dithered in the face of growth and learn from them. Like us, they have realized a need to invest in transit. Unlike us, they have waited too long and are playing an expensive game of catch-up.

The experiences of dozens of light rail transit-using cities across North America, and beyond, are making it clear: light rail will come to Waterloo Region, sooner or later.

We can build it now, an asset that will help us grow affordably and sustainably. Or we can delay, and in a few years find ourselves right back where we started ... facing a price tag that will make today’s project look like an absolute bargain.

Is the “world’s smartest city” smart enough to plan for the future and then follow through, where so many others have failed? I guess we’ll find out.